You won't believe this!! These 2 videos were sent to me RIGHT AFTER I READ "What Does Joyful Learning Look Like!" (Oct. 28 post) Mrs. Megan's blog is all about the little ones who don't look like they are "participating" in class...you know, the children that sit in Mom or Dad's lap and just watch. Parents often ask themselves, "Is my child "getting anything out of the class?'

I am deeply grateful to this Mommy because here's the proof that there is valuable learningtaking place as the child sits and observes the class. Observation is HOW this child learns, processes and internalizes the plethora of information experienced during class.Research in early childhood development indicates that if the adult "steps in" and tries to manipulate the child or force "participate," the child's learning process is literally interrupt and the child will most often "shut down!" During class, JOYFUL LEARNING can LOOK LIKE OBSERVATION!!

These two videos bless my heart to pieces because:1. Music continues at HOME! THAT'S what WeJoySing is all about! - repetition in learning;2. The music "play" was initiated by the children. Mom had to run upstairs to "capture" these magical moments;3. The little guy was joyfully "DOING" everything - down to the minutest detail - ON HIS OWN!4. The learning was experienced with someone he values, his sister. 5. Sister is in an older WeJoySing age group, BUT knows all of brother's WeJoySing songs and activities, therefore is able to initiate the play-filled learning! 6. JOYFUL LEARNING at HOME!!

“Neuroscientist and music teacher, Dr. Martin Gardner, thinks music is the key to getting kids on the path toward “genius.” Mercy! THAT got my immediate attention. I stopped and watched Through the Wormhole, a TV series on the Science Channel. Martin stated, “Music provides a fantastic opportunity to strengthen your mind. It’s one of the most marvelous inventions of humanity.”

Music & Me...Writing Rhythms

Dr. Gardner tracked children’s academic achievement as they grew from age seven to thirty-five. His decades of research found that the strongest predictor of academic success is whether the student received musical training at an early age. As an early childhood specialist and music educator, I was elated to hear this and jumped for joy!

Mrs. Jo Wichita State University

But, it got even better. Martin believes one specific musical teaching system “hits all the right neurological notes.” He identified the “system” as the Kodály Method. I’m glad you weren’t in my living room to hear my “WooWhoos”. You see, I am a Kodály specialist and hold my Master Degree in Music Education with an emphasis in the Kodály Method. But BEST of ALL, WeJoySing’s Hearth Strings and Music & Me programs are based on the philosophy and pedagogical principles of Zoltan Kodály. Since the late 80’s, my summers have been spent teaching graduate level Kodály Methods at six Universities across the US. Obviously, I’m “SOLD” on this methodology.